Marking

Question
Our male miniature poodle is 8 months old.  Her was house broken by the age of 16 weeks.  He is smart and good natured. Recently he has started marking doors, and dining room furniture.  How can I stop this. He is not neutered yet.

Answer
If you had neutered him at 6 months, this may not have developed.  Do so now.  It is no cure all, but helps this and other behaviors.  The effect won't be immediate.  Begin a program of either having him in sight or crated.  Use doors or gates to keep him in the same room.  Tie him to your computer desk when you are at it.  Some people even leash the dog to themselves.  Let him our of your sight for a moment, and he will be marking.  


A dog that has not been crated since it was little, may take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at
feeding time for more than one dog.


Catching him in the act of marking calls for stronger corrections than the
otherwise effective "Bad dog!".  When it misbehaves, throw it on its back, and
growl "Bad dog!" right in its face.  Hold it down until it lifts one back leg
to show submission.   You can pick him up with your hands behind his front
shoulders and hold him up with his back to you.  Keeping him far enough away
to keep his head from smashing into your face, hold him until he stops
struggling and relaxes.   Others like the squirt bottle.  Fill it with water
and a little vinegar or lemon juice.  Give it a squirt in the face as soon as
it misbehaves.  Dogs hate that.